Dairy Clerk Interview Preparation Guide

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Probably not. Most milk, including organic and regular milk, is delivered to stores within a few days of milking. However, some organic milk has an extended shelf life if it has undergone ultra-high temperature pasteurization.

It is important to note that dairy cows are not routinely treated with antibiotics. When illness requires that a cow be treated, antibiotics are administered according strict FDA guidelines, which include withholding milk from sale. When a cow's milk is withheld, she is given special care and attention separate from the rest of milking herd until her milk tests free of antibiotics.

U.S. dairy farmers are committed to assuring that their animals are well cared for and that proper attention is given to the use of natural resources, no matter if the farm is organic or conventional. There are strict guidelines from government agencies for all dairy farms, including sanitation, use of veterinary products, and environmental management.

Organic dairy foods must additionally meet the requirements of USDA's National Organic Program. This includes using only organic fertilizers and pesticides, and not using rbST. Dairy foods can be labeled "USDA Organic" only if all of the additional criteria are met.

Like other business owners, many dairy farm families are expanding to improve efficiencies. These improvements provide you with high-quality, affordable milk and dairy foods. Dairy farms have modernized to provide better cow care, improve milk quality, and use fewer natural resources. Many have also become larger to allow siblings, children or other family members to join the family business. The USDA estimates the average dairy farm in the US is about 200 cows.

All dairy farmers, regardless of their farms' size or ownership, follow strict regulations and best management practices for the health of their families, their cows and their neighbors. The look of the family farm and the technologies may have changed, but the traditional values of caring for the land and animals continue.

According to Cornell University, the dairy community has already reduced its carbon footprint by more than 63 percent between 1944 and 2007, due to improved cow nutrition, cow comfort, quality of the animals, and other improvements. Compared to farms in 1960, USDA statistics show that US dairy farms today are producing almost three times more milk with about half the number of cows.

In addition, milk performed better than other beverages in the 2010 Nutrient Density to Climate Impact (NDCI) Index, which compared nutrient density to climate impact.

There is no typical day on a dairy farm, and I guess that's what keeps the job interesting and challenging. Of course we have regular jobs that must be done daily, like feeding and caring for the animals and, of course, milking the cows. We also produce all of our forages, so there is a lot of work to be done out in the fields depending on the time of year. On any given day you can find me in the calf barn, having a meeting with our employees, or out on a tractor!

The price of milk at the grocery store can fluctuate due to changes in supply and demand, just like other foods. Other factors, including transportation and input costs, also can impact price. Dairy foods are still one of the most cost-effective investments you can make for your family's health.

My brother, and I grew up on our family dairy farm and we're the third generation to own and operate the business. There's quite a satisfaction to continue our grandparents' legacy, work with family towards a common goal and hopefully pass it on to the next generation.

Cows have evolved over millions of years to eat almost nothing but grass. Farmers feed cows grains in order for them to gain weight or so they produce more and/or sweeter milk. Grains are hard for cows to digest and lead to chronic digestive problems.

Another reason a farmer might feed their cows grains is because the cows are confined and have no access to fields or grass. Have you ever driven past feed lots with cows crammed together, standing in their own waste, with no grass in sight? Well that could easily be an organic dairy farm.

This question is really about your self-esteem, confidence and career aspirations. The answer must be 'yes', followed by a brief explanation as to what it is about your career so far that's made you happy. If you have hit a career plateau, or you feel you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify your answer.